Synchronized reading devices for looms

ABSTRACT

An improved synchronized reading device for a loom, particularly a dobby machine, for reading a pattern having at least two rows of perforations thereon disposed according to a predetermined design. The reading device includes a set of four feeler needles disposed in parallel groups of two with each group positioned for coaction with one of the rows of perforations formed in the pattern. Each feeler needle is supported on a cranked lever pivotally supported on a transverse shaft which extends longitudinally of the dobby machine. Each lever is also articulated to a substantially horizontally extending needle which in turn controls a vertical oscillatory lever. A pair of said oscillatory levers corresponding to the needles of each group are pivotally supported on a lever arm, with adjacent pairs of lever arms being pivotally connected to tie rods which are connected to retaining hooks for controlling the rocker of the dobby machine.

[451 Nov. 13, 1973 United States Patent [191 Xaus Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorney-Woodhams, Blanchard & Flynn SYNCHRONIZED READING DEVICES FOR LOOMS [76] Inventor:

Sergio Serra Xaus, Calle Legalidad No. 13, Barcelona, Spain Apr. 7, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT An improved synchronized reading device for a loom,

[22] Filed:

particularly a dobby machine, for reading a pattern having at least two rows of perforations thereon disposed according to a predetermined design. The reading device includes a set of four feeler needles disposed in parallel groups of two with each group posia t a D y .n r 0 i r P n o .1 8 k 0] 0. up A m 0 Nu o F p A ll. 0 23 Spain Aug. 23, 1971 stantially horizontally extending needle which in turn controls a vertical oscillatory lever. A pair of said os- Retereuces Cited cillatory levers corresponding to the needles of each UNITED STATES PATENTS group are pivotally supported on a lever arm, with adjacent pairs of lever arms being pivotally connected to 3,378,038 4/1968 Hadinec................................ 139/68 tie rods which are connected to retaining hooks for 3,390,705 7/1968 Oberholzer........................... 139/68 controlling the rocker of the dobby machine.

5 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet '1 fig/A Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Shea t 23 Patented Nov. 13, 1973' v 3,771,571

9 Sheets-Sheet Z PaLterited Nov. 13, 1973 3,771,571

9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 QHMHEHE HHHE b! Em 5% v8 rem g wm Patented Nov. 13, 1973 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 W wa u x w \v\\n SYNCIIRONIZED READING DEVICES FOR LOOMS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in synchronized reading devices for looms, and more particularly to a reading device adapted for application to the dobby machine for a loom. The present invention is specifically applicable for application to a dobby machine such as the one illustrated in my copending U.S. application Ser. No. 87 164, filed Nov. 5, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,324.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved synchronized reading device for actuating dobby machines by means of a set of four feeler needles disposed in groups of two needles, with the groups being disposed in parallel planes spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction of the dobby machine. Each group of each set of needles works in an intermittent and inverse manner for the possible insertion of the needles into the successive rows of apertures formed in a pattern, which apertures as formed in the pattern are prepared according to a predetermined design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A represents a vertical side cross sectional view of the reading device constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a vertical side cross-sectional view of a portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a vertical side cross-sectional view of a further portion of the device illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the reading device in a first forward working position of the lower hook.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the device in a second forward working position of the lower hook.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the device in a third forward working position of the lower hook.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the device in a fourth forward working position of the lower hook.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the device in a fifth forward working position at the instant when the upper hook is about to begin its work.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the device in a sixth forward working position of the upper hook.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the device in a seventh forward working position of the upper hook.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the device in an eighth forward working position of the upper hook.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the device in a ninth forward working position prepared for the beginning of a new cycle.

FIGS. 11 through 14 schematically illustrate the device in distinct backward working positions of the lower hook starting at the FIG. 5 position.

FIGS. 15 through 18 schematically illustrate the device in distinct backward working position of the upper hook starting at the FIG. 9 position.

FIG. 19 graphically illustrates the functioning of the device when applied to a dobby machine.

FIG. 20 is a vertical side view of a dobby machine useable with the reading device illustrated in FIG. 1.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. The words upwardly, downwardly, leftwardly and rightwardly will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words inwardly," and outwardly" will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the device and designated parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

DETAILED. DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates therein a reading device constructed according to the present invention, which device is adapted for coaction with the dobby machine illustrated in my copending application Ser. No. 87 l64 for controlling the action thereof, which dobby machine is briefly illustrated in FIG. 20. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an apertured pattern 1 moves step by step around a pattern drum 2. Four rows of feeler needles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are disposed over the drum 2and extend longitudinally of the device, with feeler needles being disposed within a plurality of sets which are spaced longitudinally of the device. Each set includes a single feeler needle 3, 4, 5 and 6, with each set of needles being disposed within two groups. Specifically, the feeler needles 3 and 5 are grouped together and are disposed within a first plane, and the feeler needles 4 and 6 are grouped together and disposed within a second plane which is spaced from and parallel to the first plane. The needle groups 3 and 5, and 4 and 6, are alternated along the full width of the dobby machine.

The needles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are suitably slidably supported adjacent their lower ends by means of a U- shaped guide bar 7 which is provided with suitable guide openings therethrough for the needles. This thus positions the needles so that their lower ends are adapted to align with and extend through theapertures or perforations formed in the pattern 1. For this purpose, the pattern 1 is provided with two longitudinally extending rows of apertures thereon disposed for coaction with the first group of needles 3 and 5 and the second group of needles 4 and 6 as provided within each set.

The upper ends of the needles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are pivotally supported on cranklike levers 8, 10, 9 and 11, respectively. The levers 8 and 11 are disposed adjacent one another and are each pivotally supported on a shaft 20. A conventional coil spring 21 is associated with each of the levers 8 and 11 and has one end thereof fixed to the lever and the other end thereof anchored to a fixed part of the dobby to thus cause the levers 8 and 11 to be respectively resiliently urged into engagement with respective movable stop bars 12 and 17. The levers 9 and 10 are similarly pivotally supported on a shaft 22, and each lever 9 and 10 has one end of a conventional coil spring 23 anchored thereto, with the other end of each coil spring 23 being anchored to a fixed part of the dobby machine whereby the levers 9 and 10 are also resiliently urged into engagement with movable stop bars 13 and 16, respectively. The stop bars are movable in oscillation upwards and downwards at each half turn of the central shaft of the dobby machine. Further, the levers 8 and 9 are longer than the levers l0 and 11 and are without intermediate supporting heels.

All of the levers 8, 9, l0 and 11 are cranked about their fulcrums, and the levers 8 and 11 have downwardly extending leverlike prolongations l8 and 18' respectively. The levers 9 and 10 also have downwardly extending leverlike prolongations 19 and 19, respectively.

The prolongation 18 of lever 8 is joined at its lower extremity to a horizontal needle 24, which needle is resiliently urged against the prolongation by a spring 25. The prolongation 18 of lever 11 is similarly joined at its lower extremity to a horizontal needle 26 which is resiliently urged against the prolongation by a spring 27. The needles 24 and 26 have their free extremities (leftward extremities in FIG. 1) bent to form and elongated slot whereby the leftward extremities of the needles 24 and 26 are thus slidably anchored on a stationary guide bar 28. The bent extremities of the needles 24 and 26 are bent downwardly and upwardly, respectively, in the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The prolongation 19' of lever is similarly joined at its lower extremity to a horizontal needle 29, which needle is resiliently urged towards the prolongation by a spring 30. The prolongation 19 of lever 9 is also joined at its lower extremity to a further horizontal needle 31 which is resiliently urged against the prolongation by still a further spring 32. The needles 29 and 31 also have their free extremities bent to form an elongates slot, the extremities respectively being bent upwardly and downwardly so as to be slidably anchored to a further stationary guide bar 33.

The horizontal needles 24, 26, 29 and 31 are respectively connected to the upper ends of oscillatory levers 34, 35, 36 and 37 mounted for oscillation within substantially vertically planes. The oscillatory levers 34, 35, 36 and 37 are pivotally supported on a plurality of lever arms 38 and 38 which are disposed in adjacent side-by-side relationship. Each lever arm 38 and 38 has one end thereof freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 39, and has the free end thereof disposed for engagement with an elongated stop bar 40 when in a rest position. In the illustrated embodiment, the one lever arm 38 has the oscillatory levers 35 and 36 pivotally supported thereon, whereas the other oscillatory levers 34 and 37 are pivotally supported on a further lever arm 38' is disposed directly adjacent and spaced sidewardly from the lever arm 38 and has the oscillatory levers 35 and 36 pivotally supported thereon.

The redding device also includes two elongated complimentary knife members 41 and 42, which knife members extend from end-to-end of the dobby and are each mounted for substantially vertical reciprocating movement. The knife member 41 is disposed for coaction with the lower free ends of the oscillatory levers 34 and 35, whereas the elongated knife member 42 is disposed for coaction with the lower free ends of the oscillatory levers 36 and 37. The knife members, when they engage their respective oscillatory levers, thus cause an upward displacement of the respective oscillatory levers, which in turn causes an upward swinging movement of the respective lever arm 38 or 38.

To permit vertical displacement of the knife members 41 and 42, the device is provided with a rotary shaft 43 having a pair of eccentrics 44 and 45 nonrotatably secured thereto and located at the opposite extremities thereof. The eccentrics 44 and 45 are each disposed for engagement with respective cam follower wheels 46 and 47 which are rotatably supported on the ends of respective cranklike levers 48 and 49. The levers 48 and 49 are positioned adjacent one another and are pivotally supported on a shaft 50. Cam follower wheels 46 and 47 are maintained in engagement with the periphery of the eccentrics 44 and 45, respectively, by means of springs 54 which have one extremity thereof anchored to the levers 48 and 49 and the other extremity thereof anchored to a fixed part of the dobby machine. The cranked levers 48 and 49 have their other free extremities pivotally connected to the lower ends of the respective arms 51 and 52, which arms at their upper ends have the knives 41 and 42 connected thereto. Thus, rotation of shaft 43 and of eccentrics 44 and 45 thus causes a rocking movement of the levers 48 and 49, whereupon the knife 41 and 42 are thus vertically reciprocated. Further, due to the manner in which the cam followers 46 and 47 coact with the eccentrics 44 and 45, respectively, the knives 41 and 42 are vertically reciprocated in a see-saw like manner, that is, knife 41 is displaced upwardly while knife 42 is being displaced downwardly, and vice versa.

The lever arm 38 has a downwardly extending stay rod 53 pivotally connected adjacent the free end thereof, and the lever arm 38' has an upwardly extending stay rod 62 pivotally connected adjacent the free end thereof. The stay rods 53 and 62 are disposed for causing pivotal movement of lower and upper hooks 55 and 63, respectively, in response to oscillation of the lever arms 38 and 38.

The lower end of stay rod 53 slidably extends through a loop or car 58 formed on the hook 55. The hook 55 is also provided with a further ear 57 thereon to which is anchored one end of a conventional coil spring 56, which spring has its other end stationarily anchored so that the hook 55 is thus continuously resiliently urged clockwise in FIG. 1 to thus maintain the ear 58 in engagement with a movable stop member 61 which is slidably supported on the stay rod 53. A spring surrounds the rod 53 and is interposed between the movable stop 61 and a further stop 59 which is fixedly secured to the rod 53 adjacent the lower end thereof. Thus, when lever arm 38 is oscillated upwardly (clockwise in FIG. 1) causing the lower stay rod 53 to be pulled upwardly, it causes rotation of the hook 55 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 in opposition to the urging of the spring 56.

The upper stay rod 62 eoacts with the upper hook 63 in a similar manner, which hook 63 specifically includes an ear 66 through which slidably extends the upper end of the stay rod 62. I-Iook 63 has a further ear 65 to which is anchored one end of a conventional coil spring 64, which spring has the other end thereof suitably fixedly anchored to a stationary portion of the dobby machine. Spring 64 thus continuously resiliently urges the hook 63 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 so that the ear 66 is thus continuously maintained in engagement with a movable stop 68 which is slidably supported on the rod 62. A conventional .compression spring 69 surrounds the rod 62 and has one end thereof disposed in engagement with the movable stop 68. The other end of the spring 69 is disposed in engagement with a further stop 67, which stop is fixedly secured to the stay rod 62. Thus, upward movement of the lever arm 38' (clockwise in FIG. 1) causes an upward pushing movement of the stay rod 62, whereby the hook 63 is also moved in a counterclockwise direction in opposition to the urging of the spring 64.

The hooks 63 and 55 are respectively pivotally supported upon crank levers 71 and 72 (FIG. 20) which are in turn respectively pivotally supported on shafts 73 and 74. The levers 71 and 72 have cam followers 75 and 76 thereon positioned for following engagement with rotatable eccentrics 77 and 78, respectively. The eccentrics 77 and 78 are nonrotatably secured to a pair of counterrotating shafts 79 and 80. The hooks 63 and 55 are respectively positioned for engagement with upper and lower pins 81 and 82 provided on a rocker 83. The rocker 83 has cam followers 84 and 85 disposed in engagement with the eccentrics 86 and 87, respectively, which are nonrotatably secured to the rotatable shafts 79 and 80, respectively. The rocker 83 is in turn pivotally connected to a tie rod 88, the latter being pivotally connected to the intermediate pivot lever 89. Lever 89 is pivotally interconnected through connecting link 90 to the lever 91 which is connected at its upper end to a conventional heald formation.

The detailed operation of the dobby machine, as illustrated in FIG. 20, is explained in greater detail in my copending application Ser. No. 87 164, and thus further description of same is not believed necessary.

OPERATION The functioning of the device is explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 corresponding to the lower hook 55 moving forward, to FIGS. 6 to 10 corresponding to the upper hooks 63 moving forward, to FIGS. 11 to 14 corresponding to the lower hooks 55 moving backward, and to FIGS. 15 to 18 corresponding to the upper hooks 63 moving backward, all of which is shown conjointly in FIG. 19.

Position 1 of FIG. 2 shows all the needles, 3, 4, 5, and 6 raised. The knife 42 is in its lowest position, and the knife 41 is in its highest position. At this instant the pattern 1 moves forward one step.

In position 2 of FIG. 3, the stop bars 16 and 17 descend as indicated by the arrows, and the needles 4 and 6 joined to the levers l0 and 11 descend if they find apertures in the pattern 1, whereupon the levers 11-18 and 10-19 oscillate, displacing the respective horizontal needles 26 and 29. Thereupon the oscillatory levers 35 and 36 oscillate on the lever arm 38. During this part of the operation, the knives 41 and 42 have not moved, so that the oscillatory lever 35 rests against the knife 41 without being held in same, and the oscillatory lever 36 is introduced into the knife 42 and is caught by same.

In position 3 of FIG. 4, the knife 41 begins to descend according to the arrow, but does not seize the oscillatory lever 35, while the knife 42 begins to ascend pulling upwards the oscillatory lever 36 which, being joined to the lever arm 38, obliges this to oscillate upwardly, thus pulling the stay-rod 53 and initiating the oscillation of the hook 55 towards the lower pin 82 of the corresponding rocking lever 83 of the dobby. At said moment the hook moves forward as shown by the arrow, due to the shaft 93 of the hook 55 being displaced forward upon meeting with the step-down of the eccentric 78.

In position 4 of FIG. 5, the knife 41 continues its descent to its lowest position, while the knife 42 continues its ascent to its highest position, whereupon the oscilla-.

tory lever 36 and lever arm 38 continue oscillating upwardly, and the stay-rod 53 also, so that the hook 55 continues the oscillation till it rests on the lower pin 82 of the rocker 83. At the same time the roller 76 is moved out of the recess in eccentric 78 so that lever 72 and hook 55 undergo a backward movement as seen by the arrow in FIG. 5, at which instant the pin 82 of rocker 83 engages hook and retains the rocker 83 at its lower part, thus effecting the top retention of the heald frame corresponding to the rocker 83 to which it is joined.

In position 5 of FIG. 6, the knives 41 and 42 are at rest, and the stop bars 16 and 17 ascend as indicated by the arrows, so that the needles 4 and 6 ascend until they separate from the pattern 1.

In position 6 of FIG. 7 the stop bars 12 and 13 descend as seen by the arrows, and the needles 3 and 5 descend if they find apertures in the pattern 1, whereupon the levers 8-18 and 9-19 oscillate displacing their respective horizontal needles 24 and 31. Thereupon the oscillating levers 34 and 37 oscillate on the lever arm 38'. During said part of the function, the knives 41 and 42 have not moved, so that the oscillatory lever 34 is introduced into the knife 41 and held in same, and the oscillatory lever 37 rests against the knife 42 without being held in same.

In position 7 of FIG. 8, the knife 41 begins to rise as shown by the arrow, drawing with it upwards the oscillatory lever 34 which is joined to the lever arm 38' and so oscillates same upwardly thus pushing the tie-bar 62 initiating the oscillation of the hook 63 towards the upper pin 81 of the corresponding rocker 83 of the dobby machine. At that moment the hook 63 is moved forwards as shown by the arrow, due to the shaft 92 of the hook being displaced forward upon meeting the reduction of the eccentric 77. The knife 42 begins to descend according to the arrow.

In position 8 of FIG. 9, the knife 41 continues to rise to its highest position, so that the oscillatory lever 34 and lever arm 38' continue oscillating upwardly together with the tie-rod 62, so that the hook 63 continues the oscillation till it rests on the upper pin 81 of the rocker 83, while at the same time that said hook 63 according to the arrow of FIG. 9 is moved backwards due to the effect of the eccentric 77, the rocker 83 being retained at that instant at its upper part. In this manner the heald frame corresponding to the rocker to which it is joined is held on high.

In position 9 of FIG. 10, the knives 41 and 42 are held in the upper extreme and lower extreme positions respectively, and the stop bars 12 and 13 rise so that the levers 8 and 9 oscillate upwardly, raising the needles 3 and 5 out of the pattern 1 for the machine to being a new cycle.

At said instant the pattern 1 moves for a new reading.

For the backward movement of the device, in the part corresponding to the lower hook, start is made at the position 4, FIG. 5, to retreat passing through the positions indicated in FIGS. ll, l2, l3 and 14, and then to recommence the cycle in position 1, according to the movements indicated by arrows in each figure.

For the backward movement of the device in the part corresponding to the upper hook, start is made at position 8, FIG. 9, to retreat passing through the positions indicated in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, and then to recommence the cycle according to the movements indicated by the arrows in each figure.

In the diagram of operation of FIG. 19, the function- I ing diagram of the dobby is represented, where the working positions of the previous figures are indicated,

according to the angular gyratory positions if the central shafts of the eccentrics of the dobby machine. The line 94 indicates the course followed by the upper eccentrics of the dobby. The line 95 indicates the course followed by the lower eccentrics of the dobby. The line 96 shows the longitudinal movement of the upper hooks. The line 97 shows the longitudinal movement of the lower hooks. The line 98 shows the movement of the upper rear knife for actuating the books. The line 99 shows the movement of the lower front knife for actuating the hooks. The line 101 shows the upper and lower positions of the feeler needles in relation tothe carton corresponding to the upper hooks. The line 102 shows the upper and lower positions of the feeler needles in relation to the carton corresponding to the lower hooks. The line 103 shows the movement of the drum that hauls the selector pattern.

Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Improvements in a synchronized reading device for a dobby machine with a pattern that has at least two rows of perforations throughout its length, comprising:

a set of four feeler needles for the pattern disposed in first and second groups of two needles in parallel planes in the longitudinal direction of the dobby machine, said planes corresponding to the two rows of perforations of the pattern;

two transverse shafts of the dobby machine, and first and second groups of cranked levers respectively connected to the first and second groups 'of feeler needles, one cranked lever of each group being pivotally supported on each said transverse shaft;

a substantially horizontal needle articulated at one extremity to the free end of each cranked lever,

and guided at its other extremity;

a vertically oscillatory lever connected to each horizontal needle;

a lever arm for each group of two oscillatory levers displosed according to two transverse planes of the dobby machine on which the lever arms oscillate, the lever arms being freely supported on one transverse shaft of the dobby machine; and

a tie-rod articulated to the free extremity of each lever arm, each tie-rod having its extremity connected to retaining hook of the rocker of the dobby machine.

2. Improvements according to claim 1, in which the cranked levers of one set of feeler needles are shorter and have a heel at their intermediate part, and those of the other set of feeler needles are longer with no heel.

3. Improvements according to claim 2, characterized by two sets of two stop bars supporting the heels of the cranked levers of said one set and the extremities of the cranked levers of said other set, and said sets of stop bars being provided with an inverse rise and fall movement for actuation of the groups of feeler needles.

4. Improvements according to claim 1, characterized by the provision of two knives in the dobby machine with rise and fall movements which are opposite one another, the knives holding the free ends of the oscillatory levers to raise the corresponding lever arm and actuate the retaining hook of the rocker through its tierod.

5. Improvements according to claim 1, characterized by the lever arms being disposed alternatively, some with the tie-rod pointing upwardly and the others with the tie-rod pointing downwardly, corresponding to the anchorage of the upper hook and the lower hook respectively of the same rocker. 

1. Improvements in a synchronized reading device for a dobby machine with a pattern that has at least two rows of perforations throughout its length, comprising: a set of four feeler needles for the pattern disposed in first and second groups of two needles in parallel planes in the longitudinal direction of the dobby machine, said planes corresponding to the two rows of perforations of the pattern; two transverse shafts of the dobby machine, and first and second groups of cranked levers respectively connected to the first and second groups of feeler needles, one cranked lever of each group being pivotally supported on each said transverse shaft; a substantially horizontal needle articulated at one extremity to the free end of each cranked lever, and guided at its other extremity; a vertically oscillatory lever connected to each horizontal needle; a lever arm for each group of two oscillatory levers displosed according to two transverse planes of the dobby machine on which the lever arms oscillate, the lever arms being freely supported on one transverse shaft of the dobby machine; and a tie-rod articulated to the free extremity of each lever arm, each tie-rod having its extremity connected to retaining hook of the rocker of the dobby machine.
 2. Improvements according to claim 1, in which the cranked levers of one set of feeler needles are shorter and have a heel at their intermediate part, and those of the other set of feeler needles are longer with no heel.
 3. Improvements according to claim 2, characterized by two sets of two stop bars supporting the heels of the cranked levers of said one set and the extremities of the cranked levers of said other set, and said sets of stop bars being provided with an inverse rise and fall movement for actuation of the groups of feeler needles.
 4. Improvements according to claim 1, characterized by the provision of two knives in the dobby machine with rise and fall movements which are opposite one another, the knives holding the free ends of the oscillatory levers to raise the corresponding lever arm and actuate the retaining hook of the rocker through its tie-rod.
 5. Improvements according to claim 1, characterized by the lever arms being disposed alternatively, some with the tie-rod pointing upwardly and the others with the tie-rod pointing downwardly, corresponding to the anchorage of the upper hook and the lower hook respectively of the same rocker. 